Cutting Edge: Involvement of the Type I IFN Production and Signaling Pathway in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced IL-10 Production

Macrophages respond to LPS by the rapid activation of proinflammatory cytokines that serve to initiate host defense against microbial invasion. To prevent injury to the host from excess production of these cytokines, IL-10 is up-regulated to feedback inhibit the proinflammatory response. However, the molecular events responsible for LPS-induced up-regulation of IL-10 remain to be elucidated. In this study, we provide evidence that production of and signaling by type I IFN is required for LPS-induced IL-10 up-regulation. In addition, we demonstrate that defect in type I IFN production and signaling results in a trend toward LPS-mediated superinduction of proinflammatory genes and cytokines in bone marrow-derived macrophages. Our findings suggest a novel anti-inflammatory role for the type I IFN production and signaling pathway in regulating LPS response in bone marrow-derived macrophages.